Holiday Survival Guide

We know the holidays aren’t always merry and bright.

But we also know that you’ve got this – and we’ve got you.

YOUTH: Every single week from 6:30-8:00, Friday Night Group is here for you. Even holidays and snow days! There's no need to sign up in advance. In Vermont for the holigays? Join us IRL for pizza and fun crafts!

PARENTS/CAREGIVERS: Find a welcoming and supportive community of peers at Trans Parent Group, whether you’re fielding tough questions, navigating complex family dynamics, or just wondering how to best show up for the young people in your life. Facilitated by local mental health professionals, this group welcomes folks at all levels of familiarity and understanding of trans identities. Join virtually on the first Monday of each month from 6-8pm (request the link here) – and if you’re in the area, join us in person at Outright’s Burlington office on the third Monday of each month from 6-8 pm.

We’d also like to share these self-care tips and resources, compiled by our friends at Q Chat Space, to help you keep your shine through the holiday season.

Hotlines

???? Call  – ???? Text – ???? Chat – ???? Email

• Emergency: Call 911
• The Trevor Project ????????????
• Trans Lifeline ????
• LGBT National Help Center ????????
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline ????????
• National Runaway Switchboard ????????????????
• Rape Abuse & Incest National Network ????????
• National Domestic Violence Hotline ????????????
• National Child Abuse Hotline ????????????
• BlackLine (For folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens) ????????
• Crisis Text Line (Text-based mental health support) ????????
• Crisis Text Line International (United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland) ????
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline ????????????

Things to Do

???? Watch or Read – ???? Listen – ?? Write or Draw

• imi guide ??????????
• WeRNative (For Indigenous Community) ??????
• Self Care / Emotional Support List (by Trans Lifeline) ??????????
• A Care Package from Transgender Law Center ??????????
• 94 Self-Care Activity Ideas ??????????
• 45 Simple Self-Care Practices for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul (by Tiny Buddha) ??????????
• Free Tetris ????????
• Peer2Peer Gaming Central ????
• Advocates for Youth Youtube Channel ????
• Virtual Tours of Zoos, Aquariums, Museums & Theme Parks ????????
• Various Guided Meditations ????
• Guided Meditations in different Languages (English, Armenian, Cantonese, Farsi, Filipino, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Mixtec-High, Mixtec-Low, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language) ????????
• Body Scan (3 min | 5 min | 10 min) ????????
• Mindful Walking (15 min) ????????
• Latinx Therapy Podcast (English & Spanish) ????
• Equality Magazine (by Human Rights Campaign) ????
• 17 Poems To Read When The World Is Too Much ????
• 20 Journal Prompts for Stress Relief ??
• Blank Gratitude Journal ??
• Mindfulness Art Activity ??
• Celebrating My Unique Strengths Art Activity ??
• Online Coloring Pages ??

Helpful Articles

• The Holiday Checklist for LGBTQ People (by Center for Excellence LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity)
• The Lone Queer’s Survival Guide to Awkward Family Time (by Them)
• Holiday Self-Care Tips for LGBTQ Youth (by Trevor Project)
• 8 Queer Tips To Get Through The Holidays (by Queer Theology)
• Going Home For The Holidays…Or Any Days (by PFLAG)
• A Guide to Going Home for Break: Resources for LGBTQ+ University/College Students (by University of Michigan)
• Holiday Fantasy vs Holiday Reality: LGBTQ-Focused Strategies for Coping with Holiday Stress (by OutCoast)